Welcome to the BlackLOG, this is the story of me, my wife - the long suffering "Mrs B", our cat "McG" and the various friends and acquaintances that we meet through life. It is all based around what happens to us, but is often stretched in an attempt to entertain. I do not deliberately set out to upset people but it occasionally happens (I have a fairly dark sense of humour at times).

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Wednesday, 20 June 2012

200 posts and the return of The Beast

Blog milestone

After 5 ½ years of steady blogging (certainly not as prolific as some, who seem to reach the figure in a matter of months) The BlackLOG reaches 200 postings (The fact that the number of followers are trailing way behind is of little concern, I shall continue to stick my head in the sand). For those of you who like consistency and in spite of the considerable Blogging experience that I now possess, I’m delighted to report that the BlackLOG shows no sign of improving.....

Kitchen update

We have been contacted by the paint manufacturers who assured us, in as reassuring manner as is possible, that it is nothing to do with them or the quality of their paint (I.e. sod off you are not sticking this on us – just a shame that their paint has taken a similar non-stick approach to our walls)..... They are blaming the builders for putting on rubbish quality paint 14 years ago and Mrs B for not preparing the walls* 10 years ago when she got fed up with magnolia (Note I’m totally blameless in the situation because I was too lazy busy relaxing doing important man stuff, to get involved in painting the house – I believe I was still holding out for 6 years of letting the house settle before changing anything. Yet again a clear case of my Lazy laid back approach proving a retrospective winner.) * What was Mrs B expected to do? Sit the walls down and give them a good talking to about the facts of life and what to expect in the big wide world...? More layers of paint is the only thing that springs to mind ....and remind the walls to play nicely with the better quality colours and paints that they will meet later in life when we had more money.

Camera

The Beast is home safe sound and looking pretty damn good – after his cosmetic surgery – a dial tuck here, a lens lift there and the camera equivalent of lipo suction - he is like a fit young thing again, all the flab gone (A.K.A the gray masking tape that was keeping bits of him together**). He was disappointed to miss Coldplay but he managed to sneak into Keane and Razorlight (you will have to wait for those in later blogs, otherwise it ends up like an extended version of War and Peace)** Mrs B is bemused ***by my habit of referring to The Beast as “he” – while children, if referred to at all, are generally “it”. What can I say? I like cameras, well not all cameras - some of them are spoilt little brats.... *** OK, her reaction is possibly a little stronger.

Bad news

This week I received a letter from the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year, that I entered a few months ago....“As you will be aware, the volume of entries, and the standard of those entries, increases year on year"

-Reading between the lines – Your entries were rubbish

"So our jury is faced with ever-more challenging decisions to make."

-Reading between the lines – They all thought your entries were rubbish

"I am therefore very sorry to have to tell you that, on this occasion, you were not successful."

-Reading between the lines – I personally thought your entries were rubbish

"but I also hope this does not dissuade you from taking part again"

-I.e. – I look forward to receiving your rubbish entry next year

Ouch – Sounds like I won’t be winning this year.....

Better News

Almost a month after being told my White Party photos were not what the customer was looking for, I received £100 for my services... Makes me wonder what I would have got if they had actually liked them? I also managed to sell 5 photos from the website I set up so it was not a total loss.

If you go to the Photo finish section after Mega Mini Beasts Coldplay pictures you can see The Beasts return to action in at our Ski reunion party and some birds in the garden....

Coldplay

I find it amazing that so many people criticise Coldplay for being dull - The reviews I read all begrudgingly gave credit for a great show but you could tell it was through gritted teeth and as much as they enjoyed it they were not happy admitting to it..... Mrs B and I like Coldplay’s music, have been fans since the first album. The show was spectacular, entertaining and fun – everyone was given a coloured bracelet, which at set points in the show flashed across The Emirates Stadium in unison with everyone else. So great music, fantastic show and entertaining support, Marina and the Diamonds, who flounced around and got the audience bouncing. Sadly The Beast had not been let out of surgery.

Watch of the Week

As it is the 200th Blog I have selected Joe's most expensive watch that he currently has in stock - Sadly Joe recently sold the really

expensive ones - How inconsiderate is that......

The regular section in support of Joe (Stunt Cock) and his growing watch business Xupes. Joe mentioned that they had been getting a number of hits via the BlackLOG. Xupes has been trading for over 2 years and Joe has recently developed some great contacts in the trade which enables him to pick up surplus stock and sell them at great prices. Mrs B is a regular purchaser from his jewellery section, going self-service once she finally realised that her husband is not the jewellery buying type…

12 comments:

Glad to hear Coldplay were good. I'm of similar opinion to yourself (I like them, don't know why they get so much stick as there are a LOT worse bands out there). I've seen them a couple times before - although about 10 years ago. I'm going to see them in November over here so I'm looking forward to it.

Congrats on your 200th post. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed everything you have included and all the great pics.While I might be like Mrs B and not understand the love affair you boys have with your cameras, my hubby certainly would having just bought his own "Beast".Dont ask me the specs. I have become rather good at zoning out when he starts talking about it

Glad to hear Coldplay were good. I'm of similar opinion to yourself (I like them, don't know why they get so much stick as there are a LOT worse bands out there). I've seen them a couple times before - although about 10 years ago. I'm going to see them in November over here so I'm looking forward to it.I don’t think you will be disappointed...

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed everything you have included and all the great pics.While I might be like Mrs B and not understand the love affair you boys have with your cameras, my hubby certainly would having just bought his own "Beast".Are you going to allow him some space on Mynx to display is endeavours???

Don’t ask me the specs. I have become rather good at zoning out when he starts talking about itThat’s harsh, poor Mr Mynx....

L-Kat said...Congrats on the 200th post! Your blog is about quality, not quantity, and I appreciate that. I look forward to reading your weekly updates!Bless you but it does sound like you need to get out more...All that running must be affecting your judgement.....

I'm so happy the Beast is back in action. Did the hospital bills bankrupt you? Any side effects from the surgery?It came in cheaper than they had quoted, so although bills are never great it could have been a lot worse.... No side effects, other than being a bit cockier now he is back looking so good....

Wildlife photographer of the year seems like a very lofty achievement, so I wouldn't be too upset that your photos didn't get selected. Enter more rubbish next year! I’m sure I can produce more rubbish

I love Coldplay and don't understand why so many people do not. People laugh when I tell them I like Coldplay... :( I'm so glad you enjoyed the show...looks like a great time!Sounds like I need to mention that I like Coldplay at the end of every joke I attempt....Clearly my desperation to entertain knows no bounds it’s no longer important why I get the laughs just that I get them....

I refer to children as "it" too. I refer to most everything as "it". In South Beach, it's better to be on the safe side. However, I have learned that boats are definite "she's". I called mine a dude, and that was thoroughly frowned upon.

Brooke said... I refer to children as "it" too. I refer to most everything as "it". In South Beach, it's better to be on the safe side.That raises an interesting question, what sex are beaches? However, I have learned that boats are definite "she's". I called mine a dude, and that was thoroughly frowned upon. Same with cars although Caruthers (our BMW) is all man.....

Al Penwasser said...Congratulations on 200! And who cares if the number of followers lags behind? The folks who ARE here are quality folks.For real.Very true Al, even though even I haven’t been visiting lately...is that bad?